Asencio explained that the problem had become increasingly painful before he accepted that surgery was unavoidable.
“Everything started a year ago and since January the fissure had been holding up with conservative treatment,” he told AS. “The pain was getting worse. I was suffering but I couldn't stop because the team was above everything.”
Mourinho visited Asencio in hospital immediately after the operation, an experience the defender said gave him a major emotional lift.
“That visit gave me a boost of energy,” Asencio said. “Mou is close, humble, kind and ambitious. Mou is a person on another level as a human being, apart from being a great coach.”
Asencio also described a different side to Mourinho away from the public spotlight.
“Behind closed doors he is a magnificent person, funny, who wants to spend many hours with us and at the same time we want to spend them with him. He is one more in the dressing room.”
The defender joined Real Madrid’s academy from Las Palmas at 14 and lived in the club’s residence, an experience he believes accelerated his development.
“When you lived in the Canary Islands, if you had a fever and became ill your mother was there. But here you had to learn to fight on your own when you had problems,” he said.
Asencio made his first-team breakthrough under Carlo Ancelotti and also revealed his admiration for Dani Carvajal, whose former number two shirt he now wears.
“I spoke to Carvajal. I sent Dani a message and told him, jokingly, that I hoped I wouldn't stain his number,” he said.
“He left a mark on me and that's why I didn't hesitate. And now he is a friend.”
Asencio also addressed mistakes he made away from football, including a driving incident that resulted in a substantial fine.
“I made a mistake. I admitted it and I admit it, I have apologised and I will continue to apologise,” he said.
“I am at Real Madrid and that cannot happen again.”
Despite his current absence, Asencio remains determined to rebuild his standing at the club.
“The Real Madrid has given me everything. And in return, I will give everything for Madrid,” he said. “Now I will fight so that they can feel proud of me again.”
He also backed Kylian Mbappé to win the Ballon d’Or and believes Real Madrid can win a 16th European Cup under Mourinho.
“Impossible? Very possible. For Madrid nothing is impossible,” Asencio said.